Policy for Prevention of a Retained Sponge after Vaginal Delivery

Table 1

Institutional policy for vaginal delivery sponge count.

(1) The count as follows:
(a) before the procedure,
(b) after the completion of the procedure.
(2) The delivery room nurse will record the counts on the Vaginal Delivery Bundle Count Record and document the accuracy of the count in the nurse’s notes section of the EMR.
(3) The delivery room team is notified immediately if the count is found to be incorrect.
(4) If the count is noted to be incorrect,
(a) repeat the count;
(b) the vaginal vault should be thoroughly examined by the physician or midwife;
(c) The delivery room should be searched for the missing item, including trash containers, linen hampers, and waste buckets, under table and around the room;
(d) If the missing item remains unaccounted for, an X-ray of the pelvis is to be performed;
(e) The count is to be documented as incorrect;
(f) An Occurrence Report should be completed and the administrative supervisor will be informed.